Howard Schnellenberger and members of the football team headed to Delray for the Pro Bowl Kickoff Party last night for one of their more festive team appearances.

Once a month the city of Delray Beach blocks off Atlantic Ave. for Jazz on the Avenue. On Thursday Delray combined that party with some pre-Super Bowl festivities. FAU sent over the huge inflatable helmet the Owls run through to take the field. All current freshman football players were asked to attend the event (top photo); talking to many of the younger football players in attendance and helping event organizers raise a giant American flag (middle photo). There was even a small marketing presence.

The four photos on this page are from the event. Click here to see the entire photo gallery.

The third photo is of Cory Henry. Though Henry signed a Letter of Intent last year, he didn't enroll in classes until a few days ago. I can't say for sure, but this was likely his first public event as an Owl.

The high point of the event was supposed to be a round table-type discussion hosted by Miami sports personality Tony Segreto and featuring former NFL players Reggie Givens and Lorenzo Hampton, and Schnellenberger (bottom photo).

The idea was strong but the execution was poor. There were no speakers in front of the stage, so fans standing there couldn't hear what the coach - or anyone else - was saying. The speakers were placed behind the stage, forcing those who wanted to listen to look at the back of the guests. And right behind the stage was the band shell, so when the Atlantic High School jazz band began playing it became next to impossible to hear the presentation.

The panel discussion was broadcast onto various projection screens scattered throughout the grounds, but they didn't have audio, either.

Aside from not being able to hear the coach or the other panelists, the event seemed to go smoothly, and likely helped earned the Owls a couple more hometown fans.

Talking recruiting: Got some questions about the recruiting process or this year's recruiting class for FAU? I'll be hosting FAUOwlAccess.com's first-ever recruiting chat today (Friday) at 2 p.m.

Owl Links
Your daily guide to what is being written about the Owls

How bout that hardwood? FAU coach Mike Jarvis has said all season that he hopes that every game is a learning experience for his Owls. Well, they must have studied hard after that disappointing overtime loss to South Alabama a couple weeks back. In Mobile, Ala. last night, FAU once again built a sizable second half lead only to see the Jaguars mount a run. Unlike last time FAU regrouped and won the game going away. Here's the full story about the basketball team's big win at South Alabama. Now we're only one day away from Burying the Burrow in Isiah taunts.

In our "30-for-30" recruiting series on FAUOwlAccess.com we examined whether North Broward Prep quarterback Brandon Doughty is reneging on his commitment to FAU.

Here is the Sun-Sentinel's game story.

And here is the Mobile Press-Register's account of the game.

The Florida Times-Union offered this story on FAU commit Blake Parrish.

Owl Cal
A daily look at the FAU calendar

Friday
2 p.m. FAUOwlAccess.com recruiting chat - main FAUOwlAccess.com site

Saturday
7 p.m. Basketball vs. FIU
5 p.m. Women's basketball vs.FIU

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